Mawrtian goal with 2: 45 to play ties Grizzlies, 1-1 Garrison Forest yields first goal in seven games

October 23, 1997|By Rich Scherr | Rich Scherr,SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Of the many fans at yesterday's Association of Independent Schools showdown between No. 6-ranked Bryn Mawr and No. 10 Garrison Forest, none was more excited about the 1-1 tie than Leighton Wheeler.

The mother of identical twin daughters -- one on each team -- knew she had just averted a potential family crisis.

"It's a sigh of relief," said Wheeler, who wore a school's button on each lapel. "I'm very attached to both teams."

Yesterday's tie also knotted Bryn Mawr (10-0-2) and Garrison Forest (4-1-5) at the top of the AIS A Division Applebee League. The Mawrtians completed their league schedule at 4-0-1; the Grizzlies are 3-0-1 with one league game left.

If the Grizzlies beat Park tomorrow, they force a tie for the league lead. Then, the two teams face a blind draw to select the top Applebee spot when teams are seeded for November's tourney.

For a while yesterday, it seemed as if the Grizzlies might take first place all for themselves.

Cantey Boyd's goal following a flurry in front of the cage 3: 41 into the second half gave them a 1-0 lead. Bryn Mawr pulled even on Kate Cole's goal with 2: 45 to play. After a penalty corner, Cole deflected in a ball from the Mawrtian's Jen Ahn.

... TC The goal, the first against Garrison Forest in seven games, capped off a furious 10-minute period in which Bryn Mawr got the ball in scoring position a half-dozen times, but came away empty.

"They were relentless," said Garrison Forest coach Micul Ann Morse. "They really were intent on scoring. We were doing our best but they had us on our heels."

After giving up twice as many shots as they took in the first half, the Mawrtians outshot the Grizzlies 7-4 in the second half.

"It's starting to look like we're a second-half team," said Bryn Mawr coach Jeanette Budzik, whose team rallied late to avert a loss for the third time this season. "We seem to be more intense."

None may have been more intense, however, than the Wheelers. Though Kate, who transferred from Bryn Mawr to Garrison Forest earlier this year, and Lee only shared the field for a few minutes, the matchup fulfilled expectations.

Their mother, however, remained politically correct.

"I thought it was a great game for both teams," she said, looking up briefly. "Thank you."

No. 13 Notre Dame Prep 0, No. 8 Friends 0: Despite finishing with a 9-3 advantage in shots and holding the Quakers (6-4-3) to one penalty corner, the Pirates (5-1-4) could only manage their fourth tie.